The fans believe we will beat Spain, says Deschamps

Featured

Related Stories

By Joe Wright

The 44-year-old believes that French supporters have been given a huge confidence boost after Olivier Giroud earned a draw in Madrid in their last World Cup qualifier

France coach Didier Deschamps has hailed the change in belief surrounding the national side, suggesting that supporters now believe they will beat world and European champions Spain on March 26.

Olivier Giroud struck a vital late equaliser when the sides met in the reverse fixture in Madrid and Deschamps believes the goal could be a defining moment as lesBleus look to put the problems of recent years behind them.

"Emotionally, it [the result against Spain] was very strong; Olivier Giroud's equaliser caused great joy on the bench and for those watching on TV," he told Laprovence.com. "The feeling before the game was one of pessimism. Today, in the minds of the fans, they imagine we will beat Spain.

"At Stade de France, the fans want to live the same thing as they did in Madrid. Against Germany, there were a few whistles, but the French public is not made of enthusiasts. They encourage depending on the result; it is relative, it remains lucid.

"People were buzzing when we played in Spain. Human nature is as follows: when things go well, they say it's going well; when things go wrong, it goes very wrong. There must be a balance.

"People are attached to the France team, there are things that displeased them, far beyond the result, like the Euros. There is a before Euro 2010 and an after Euro 2010. In terms of image, we hit the bottom.

"The draw in Madrid gave us confidence, it is the best medicine. But we will still be facing the best team in the world. Do not be fooled."

France take on Georgia prior to their meeting with Vicente del Bosque's side on Tuesday, and Deschamps has stressed the side must prepare very differently in order to push for top spot in the group.

"I will not prepare for Georgia as I do for Spain; neither in the balance of forces on the pitch, nor in the psychological approach," he added.

"We have a goal to qualify for Brazil. Sporting logic would have us finishing second, but without being presumptuous, we must have the ambition to play for first place."